"We have witnessed an emerging trend toward warmer shades along with color combinations with black to challenge white's position," said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Global Color Marketing Manager. "Although neutral spaces are the headliners, there is an indication of a return to color to change the automotive landscape. Blue is most popular outside the neutrals and holding strong at seven percent of the market, increases of orange and bronze are popping up and gaining interest."

Regional highlights from the 2018 report include:

Asia: Even with a one percent drop, yellow/gold is most popular worldwide in India and China. Blue is being reimagined in Japan as ecological friendly shade. In Korea, black increased two percent.

Europe: Europe is experiencing an upward trend of gray with a two percent increase.

North America: Brown/beige experienced a two percent year-over-year increase; that is the biggest gain for any region.

Russia: The most popular region for brown/beige at nine percent, Russia is followed by China at seven percent.

South America: Red decreased one point to eight percent making this region second only to North America (9%).

South Africa: Orange shows an increase from 2017, and 3.6 percent of all vehicles fall into the "Others" category.

First published in 1953, Axalta's report is the automotive industry's longest running and most comprehensive color account. Compiled and designed by Axalta's global color experts, the report gives automotive OEMs captivating insights into consumer preferences aiding them in making informed decisions on auto colors.

According to Annie You, Axalta OEM Color Designer – China, Axalta customers value the annual report and some of the understated trends it unveils. "In China, white may have peaked in 2017 at 62 percent," she said. "This year, it is 58 percent, still well above any other region."

Elke Dirks, Axalta OEM Color Designer – Europe, Middle East, Africa, points out a regional preference for gray. "For the first time in the history of our reporting, gray ranks second in the region making it a major player in the neutrals space," she said.

About AxaltaAxalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the 14,000 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us @axalta on Twitter.

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